Kirk Caldwell, Mayor Mufi Hannemann's most visible appointee to his Cabinet as the city's second-in-command, will likely face sharp questioning during confirmation hearings by the City Council next month.

As Hannemann enters his second term, his Cabinet has remained largely unchanged with returning directors expected to pass through confirmation hearings relatively easily.

Though Caldwell, the former state House majority leader, is known well in the state Legislature, he is a new face to city government.

Some City Council members praised his nomination while others question Caldwell's political ambition.

“;He has certainly served the state for a number of years,”; said Councilman Duke Bainum. “;I go in with an open mind. I'm more interested in how well-versed he is in city issues.”;

At one point, it appeared that Bainum and Caldwell could have been opponents for the City Council seat representing Moiliili to Manoa.

Caldwell, with the help of several of Hannemann's aides, filed to run for the City Council seat last year. He was later disqualified because of a procedural error in failing to drop out of the state race on time.

“;Obviously, (Caldwell) is a much more political figure than the mayor's previous three nominees for managing director,”; said Councilman Charles Djou. “;There is a considerable amount of scrutiny for the managing director position. I think it's going to receive more scrutiny because it's Kirk Caldwell and because of his reputation.”;

While in the state House, Caldwell was staunchly loyal to the Democratic Party. The city is a nonpartisan entity, but it is widely known that Hannemann is a strong Democrat and Djou is a Republican.

“;I think a big part of the focus of the confirmation hearing is what exactly kind of political deal did Mufi Hannemann cut with Kirk Caldwell,”; Djou said.

Bainum disagreed with Djou, saying this is a past issue that shouldn't be the focus of Caldwell's confirmation.

Djou said he also expects to explore Caldwell's political ambition with Hannemann open to running for Congress or governor in 2010. In the past, politicians - such as former Mayor Jeremy Harris - have used the managing director position as a launching point to the mayor's seat.

  “;The City Council is not looking at just confirming the managing director,”; Djou said. “;We're also potentially looking at selecting the next mayor of Honolulu.”;

Council Chairman Todd Apo said Caldwell's ambitions and future plans are “;irrelevant.”;

“;That issue is irrelevant on whether or not he's qualified to serve as managing director,”; Apo said.

Most of the City Council members agreed that they'd like to see more open communication with the managing director. The managing director gets paid $120,000 a year and serves as acting mayor when the mayor is out of town.

During Hannemann's first term as mayor, he appointed three managing directors. The mayor's first choice was John Reed. But his nomination failed amid allegations that he had made racially derogatory remarks in a previous job. Jeff Coelho filled in temporarily in 2005, before Hannemann appointed Wayne Hashiro a year later.